Lore

The title of Ashen One is given to the player by the Fire Keeper of Firelink Shrine. At some point in the past, the Ashen One attempted to Link the First Flame, but failed (It is uncertain what the parameters of failure are) and was buried as Unkindled Ash.

The Ashen One rose from their grave and started a journey to defeat all other Lords of Cinder and return them to their thrones, thus putting an end to the cycle of the First Flame and the curse of the Undead once and for all.

Comments

Alot of people pose the theory that Ludleth is the Soulkeeper. However, what if WE, the Ashen One/ Unkindled, are the Soulkeeper resurrected?!

First off, we know that when someone links the flame, they become "kindling" to the flame and become a Lord of Cinder. That being said, as the Unkindled, to me that sounds like we, at some point in the past, REFUSED to link the flame and therefore didnt becoming "kindling" to the fire (hence, Unkindled). That would explain the opening scene's line about "accursed Undead unfit to be cinder" (we didnt become a Lord of Cinder).

Ludleth complicates things a bit. Through his dialogue, and even more importantly, the ring he drops when killed, brings me to this theory. WE are the Soulfeeder reincarnated. Ludleth hints at two important things in his dialogue: 1) that he WILLED himself to be a LoC and 2) when talking about the Untended Graves, that Dark Age was brought on by betrayal.

What if the Soulfeeder was Corland's Chosen undead destined to become a LoC, betrayed his duty, and became the first to let the fire fade (I say "first" because I dont know if there has been a Dark Age since Gwyn linked the fire. If the Soulfeeder was not the first to let it die, it doesnt really affect my theory). Ludleth, who was a master soul transposer also from Courland, tracked him down, killed him, and turned his soul into the ring. Ludleth then threw himself, with the ring, into the fire (thus, "willing" himself to be an LoC).
Note: Alot of people claim that if you kill Ludleth, it doesnt say "Lord of Cinder" destroyed. I think that's a game mechanic thing because if you reload at a bonfire he shows up again.

Now, what if the "punishment" for refusing to link the fire caused the Soulfeeder to become an Unkindled "bounty hunter" cursed with tracking down other LoCs who are on the same path. Sort of like a second chance at redemption for us. As the opening states, "Ash seeketh Embers." We were killed and became ash and long for redemption by linking the fire and becoming embers. As we know at the beginning of DS3, the "link to fire is threatened" because Lothric refuses to link the flame. So the firekeeper rings the bell to wake the old LoCs to save the fire (second line of defense) but they refuse too. Finally, we, the Unkindled, rise as the last line of defense to hunt down and MAKE (via violent means) the LoCs return by taking their souls and linking it ourselves or, once again, deciding not to.

To sum up: In another time, we were the Soulfeeder and were tasked with becoming an LoC. We betrayed that duty, were killed by Ludleth, and he became an LoC instead. As punsihment for our betrayal and as an opportunity for redemption ("Ash seeketh embers") we became the Unkindled, a being tasked with hunting down anyone/thing who chooses to follow us on our path and not link the flame.

Other important things to note (that I havent found a way to smoothly add in above):

- Ludleth's throne clearly wasn't made for him, like all the other thrones were custom to their LoCs. It definitely seems more fitted for us.

- After we refused to link the fire, the firekeeper had a vision of what would happen if the fire died. She showed this vision to Ludleth which, fearing this prophecy, caused him to kill us (the Soulfeeer) and throw himself into the fire to link it.

- The biggest "wrench in the works" is finding out how the two variations of Gundyr fit into my theory…

When the Ashen One chooses to end the age of fire at the Kiln of thr First Flame, the cutscene will quickly fade, while firekeeper says: "Ahsen One, hearest thou my voice, still?"

This implies that the Ashen One has gone hollow, after his duty has been fulfilled. Like Anri of Astora, after she, with the help of the Ashen One, defeats Aldrich.

There are several dialogues in support of this theory:

Ludleth of Courland (after Anri's questline has been completed):

"Ahh, well met. Thou'rt at last returned.
Knowest thou the name, Anri of Astora?
The brave girl/lad left this, as thanks.
Though gave no elucidation…

Now, heed this little warning, from this little lord.
Seek not the girl.
She knoweth her fate. What will become of her upon her duty's end.
She would not wish thee follow her."

Ringfinger Leonhard (upon being attacked in the shrine):

"What's wrong with you?

Can you even hear me? If you can, cease this at once.
Before it's too late.

I see, I see, as clear as day.
You are a vile, starved beast.
Much too dangerous for her!"

There is also a secret ending where Ashen One attacks Firekeeper and takes the flame for himself. This implies that the Ashen One has become not only a hollow, but also a vile and starved beast, that seek powerful souls by mindlessly killing others.

But then; like Firekeeper said, "one day, tiny flames will dance across the darkness[,] [l]ike embers, linked by lords past." Like Ludleth of Courland, to link the flame, to "paint a new vision."